Most people visit the dentist only when they have a problem. Usually,
the appointment is made when the problem gets severe. Dentists
recommend dental visits at least twice or thrice a year for cleaning,
and a general check up to ensure that you don’t get dental problems.
Some of the dental problems that you might get if you do not visit a
dentist regularly are cavities, bleeding gums, toothache, etc.
What is the procedure for dental implants?
Dental implants
are usually made of titanium. The implant is fixed in the cavity where
the missing tooth was, deep enough to reach the root and are fixed to
the mandible, the bone that is inside the gum. An incision is made into
the gums till the bone is visible. Then the implant is inserted into the
incision to ensure that it touches the bone. Then the gums are stitched
up and allowed to heal.
The healing process could take a couple of months since it
is important that the dental implant is not dislodged. The dentist will
prescribe a diet of soft foods to make sure that the implant does not
move while eating. It is a critical period till the dental implant is
firmly fixed. The doctor’s orders will have to be followed implicitly,
till the dentist is absolutely sure that the implant was a success.
General procedure before, during and after the implant
If a patient with a cavity visits a dentist, the first
thing that the dentist and quite often a periodontist will do, is to
examine the cavity. The first course of action will be to see if they
can find a way to heal the infection, and prevent loss of tooth, by
cleaning out the cavity and filling it with enamel. If the patient has
come in time, it is possible to save the tooth and not have to go
through a dental implant.
If the tooth infection has progressed to a severe level and
the only course of action is the removal of the tooth, the dentist will
check if there is enough bone density in the area to support the
implant. If there isn’t, the dentist may have to do a bone graft before
proceeding with the implant.
What are the benefits of dental implants?
Dental implants are a permanent solution and therefore a
better option than dentures. They look and feel like your natural teeth
and you probably will look better and feel better with these prosthetic
teeth. Unlike bridges which may cause a secondary infection and may
adversely affect the teeth and gums in the surrounding areas, a good
tooth implant will ensure prevention of infection.
Of course as a dentist would tell you that prevention is
better than cure, so do visit your dentist regularly and keep cavities
at bay.
